Does Shadow of the Tomb Raider Take Place After Rise of the Tomb Raider?
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the third and final installment in the revised Tomb Raider trilogy, serving as a sequel to the critically acclaimed Rise of the Tomb Raider. Released in 2018, this action-adventure game further explores the journey of Lara Croft as she battles against the paramilitary organization Trinity to prevent a devastating Mayan apocalypse. This article will delve into the chronological order of the series, exploring the relationship between Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider.
Chronological Order of the Tomb Raider Series
To understand the connection between Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider, let’s first examine the overall chronological order of the series:
- Tomb Raider (2013): The first game of the revised trilogy, reintroducing Lara Croft and her origin story.
- Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015): The second game, where Lara faces against Trinity and uncovers secrets about her family’s history.
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018): The concluding chapter, where Lara Croft must prevent a devastating Mayan apocalypse.
As evident from the release dates, Shadow of the Tomb Raider takes place after the events of Rise of the Tomb Raider. The game continues Lara’s journey, but with a new narrative focusing on the Mayan apocalypse and her confrontation with Trinity.
The Connection between Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider
The storyline of Shadow of the Tomb Raider builds upon the events of Rise of the Tomb Raider. Without giving away too many spoilers, here are some key points that highlight the connection between the two games:
- The Dagger of Life and Death: Lara Croft discovers the Dagger of Life and Death, a crucial artifact that holds the key to preventing the Mayan apocalypse. This dagger plays a significant role in Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s narrative, as Lara becomes entangled in a cat-and-mouse game with Trinity.
- Unuratu and Paititi: In Rise of the Tomb Raider, Lara encounters Unuratu, the queen of the city of Paititi, who becomes a significant figure in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The hidden city of Paititi remains a central location in Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
- Trinity and the Mayan Apocalypse: Trinity, the paramilitary organization, is still searching for the secrets of immortality. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, their actions trigger the Mayan apocalypse, which Lara Croft must prevent.
Key Differences between Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider
Although Shadow of the Tomb Raider takes place after Rise of the Tomb Raider, it introduces new elements and deviates from the previous narrative in several ways:
- New Setting: The game takes place in Latin America, primarily in Central and South America, moving away from the European and Middle Eastern settings of Rise of the Tomb Raider.
- New Antagonist: Shadow of the Tomb Raider introduces a new and formidable antagonist, Dr. Dominguez, who shares a complex history with Lara Croft.
- New Gameplay Mechanics: Shadow of the Tomb Raider adds new features, such as the ability to manipulate natural disasters and a deeper combat system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Shadow of the Tomb Raider takes place after the events of Rise of the Tomb Raider. The game builds upon the narrative of the previous game, introducing new characters, settings, and gameplay mechanics. The connection between Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider is evident in the reuse of key characters, plot points, and the resolution of the Mayan apocalypse.